The Six Seasons of the Woodland Cree: A Lesson to Support Science 10 by Duane Johnson 2008 Teaching Materials from the Stewart Resources S106.22 Centre These lessons were developed by the following team of teachers, Elders, and cultural advisors: Yvonne Chamakese, David Hlady, Anna-Leah King, Duane Johnson, Marcia Klein, Lana Lorensen, Sally Milne, Joseph Naytowhow, Lamarr Oksasikewiyin, Stuart Prosper, Ron Ray, Ted View, John Wright, and Laura Wasacase. Support was provided by Dean Elliott from the Ministry of Education, and Margaret Pillay from the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit. All resources used in these lessons are available through the Stewart Resources Centre: http://www.stf.sk.ca/services/stewart_resources_centre/online_catalogue_unit_plans/index .html Information regarding the protocol when inviting Elders into the classroom can be found in the document: Elders in the Classroom by Anna-Leah King (attached as Appendix A). Further information can be found in the Saskatchewan Learning document: Aboriginal Elders and Community Workers in Schools. Table of Contents Overview ......................................................................................................................... 4 Foundational Objectives.................................................................................................. 4 Timeframe .......................................................................................................................4 Resources .......................................................................................................................4 The Six Seasons of the Woodland Cree.......................................................................... 5 • Foundational Objectives ....................................................................................... 5 • Key Understandings ............................................................................................. 5 • Essential Questions.............................................................................................. 5 • Learning Objectives.............................................................................................. 5 • Assessment Evidence .......................................................................................... 5 • Notes to the Teacher ............................................................................................ 6 • Lesson Plan.......................................................................................................... 6 o Possible Activities ...................................................................................... 7 o Possible Discussion Topics........................................................................ 7 • Six Seasons Poster .............................................................................................. 8 • Oral History of the Six Seasons............................................................................ 9 Appendix A – Elders in the Classroom .......................................................................... 10 3 Overview This lesson incorporates foundational objectives from the unit entitled Earth and Space Science: Weather Dynamics (WD) in the Science 10 Curriculum Guide. Students will examine cultural perspectives regarding weather and, specifically, the seasons of the year. The focus here is on a six-season model used by the Woodland Cree. This lesson could be presented as an introduction to the topic of weather. Foundational Objectives WD3 Explain the principles of weather. WD4 Forecast local weather conditions. Source: This and other objectives are found in the following document: Saskatchewan Learning. (2005). Science 10 curriculum guide. Regina: Saskatchewan Learning. Timeframe 2 hours. Resources • Carriere, K. (2002). The bulrush helps the pond: Otawask wicihtaw tawanipeyanik. Saskatoon, SK: Gabriel Dumont Institute. • Lac La Ronge Indian Band. (2005). Seasonal calendar used by the Woodland Cree people. Retrieved January 29, 2008, from http://www.kitsaki.com/October%202005%20LLRIB%20Policy%20on%20Traditional %20and%20Contemporary%20Land%20Use.pdf • Lac La Ronge Indian Band. (n.d.). Six seasons poster (copy included). 4 The Six Seasons of the Woodland Cree Foundational Objectives WD3 Explain the principles of weather. WD4 Forecast local weather conditions. Key Understandings • Experiential learning creates the basis of self-knowledge by continually internalizing the knowledge gained through the process of being sensitive and aware of the natural world. • Knowing what the weather would bring was important to those who lived off the land, and is important to a variety of people today. • All cultures developed ways of identifying seasons based on their lived experience. Essential Questions 1. Why is it important to understand seasonal changes? 2. How do the seasons’ changes impact our lives? Learning Objectives (LO) Students will be able to: WD3 LO1 Identify weather-related questions that arise from practical problems and one’s previous life experiences. WD3 LO3 Explore cultural and historical views on the origins and interpretations of weather. WD4 LO5 Explore various cultural and historical perspectives related to weather forecasting. Assessment Evidence • The teacher may choose to use a checklist to assess the activities provided during the lesson. • Other possible assessments may include: o Initial brainstormed information placed into model. o Family research completed at home. o Family research incorporated into model. o Students shared their history with the class. o Model completed using their beliefs of the Cree perspective. 5 Notes to the Teacher Many cultures in Saskatchewan have their own perspective on the weather cycles. One of these relates to the seasons. The length of each season may vary from culture to culture, according to these different perspectives. The origins of the seasons may be related to the different geographic locations in Saskatchewan that determine the beginning of each season. The following lesson focuses on the differences in seasonal perspective. Students will be given the opportunity to develop their understandings of the six season model used by the Woodland Cree. In the Cree language, the place name of Saskatchewan translates into the action of water surging forward, with a strong undercurrent and a great capacity to advance objects. The constant flux and flow within the environment is how the seasons infuse seamlessly into each other. Lesson Plan 1. The teacher will introduce the concept of differing perspectives about the seasons. A template of the six-season model (included), explaining the names of the seasons and the appropriate length of each season, will be shared with students. Students will brainstorm activities they are involved with for each of the six seasons from their own environments. 2. Brainstormed activities will be incorporated into the model of the six seasons provided by the teacher. 3. Students will be asked to complete personal research related to the seasons from their own historic backgrounds. They will ask for information from their family members, including the number of seasons, activities their families were involved in during each season, and any other relevant information. Students are encouraged to ask their grandparents or seniors in the community about the importance of preparing for the approaching seasons. What activities preceded the seasons? 4. Each student will create a model using his or her family heritage. These models should be in a circular format as in the Woodland Cree example. Models will be presented to the class. 5. The teacher will discuss possible differences and similarities in the models presented. Discussion topics may include cultural differences in the number of seasons, the length of seasons, the lack of seasons, southern and northern locations, etc. For example, southern locations might have longer summers and shorter winter seasons. 6. The teacher will ask the students to place themselves into the location of the Woodland Cree people to develop a perspective on how to survive in each season. Students will be asked to complete the following questions through a think, pair, and share activity. 6 • Questions: 1. How would you prepare to survive during each of the seasons, including obtaining food, shelter, and water? 2. What activities might you be participating in during each of the seasons, apart from those already listed (sports, for example)? 3. What might some of the challenges be to surviving during each season? 4. How might you overcome these challenges? 7. Students will complete the model of the six seasons from the Woodland Cree perspective, using the information that they have gathered through the think, pair, and share activity. 8. The teacher will distribute the diagram from the Woodland Cree perspective and students will compare their model with the model provided. The teacher will lead a discussion of new information discovered through the introduction of the Woodland Cree model. Possible Activities 1. Invite an Elder or cultural advisor to discuss his or her knowledge regarding this model of seasons, or one used by the First Nations or Métis group to which he/she belongs. (See Appendix A - Elders in the Classroom.) 2. Students may develop a new seasonal model based on the theory of global warming. Students will need to complete research into the effects of global warming on the lengths of the seasons in their area over the next few years. Students may find an